Captain's Log

[Second Summer]

I've upgraded the Search add-on and re-indexed the search data.

I don't think you'll notice any differences, but I'd like to point out that our search feature is there and should be working really well, probably better than most other forums using the same forum software because we have a special search add-on and accompanying search engine software.

 

[Second Summer]

I restarted the server this morning, but didn't check that everything started up again as usual, because I'm so used to it just working. It turns out that the auto-start of the database system had somehow been disabled! Have fixed it now.

 

[Second Summer]

There's an ongoing DDoS attack against the forum. I'm trying to tweak some parameters to make it go away.

 

[Second Summer]

There are hundreds of different IP addresses with a wide geographic distribution involved in the attack, so that makes it harder to combat.

Fortunately, I have some tools, although it might take me some time to figure them out ....!

Don't worry, though, a DDoS attack - distributed denial of service attack - is just about that, blocking access to the site for normal users by sending fake traffic to the site to overwhelm the server, and will eventually stop, either because I manage to defeat it, or because they get tired and move on to another target.

 

[Second Summer]

I wonder if the attack has started to tail off. Also, some of my counter-measures may be starting to help.

 

[KLS52]

Yeah...had a lot of trouble earlier. Kept getting bad server message. Even now I have to try a few times to load the website.

 

[Second Summer]

It's looking pretty good now. I have relaxed one of my counter-measures.

I have (automatically) banned more than 3000 IP addresses in the process

 

[silva]

It's looking pretty good now. I have relaxed one of my counter-measures.

I have (automatically) banned more than 3000 IP addresses in the process

Thanks SS!

 

[Chryssie]

So happy it is resolved. I was having withdrawals earlier!

 

[KLS52]

Appears to be back to normal for me!

 

[Lou]

Seems like the Search function is broken

 

[Second Summer]

Seems like the Search function is broken

Yes, that is a deliberate choice, sorry. I turned off the component that's serving it because it takes a lot of memory which was needed to combat the attack. I might turn it back on again tomorrow (Sunday) at some point.

 

[KLS52]

Was wonky for me again for a short while this morning. And I couldn't post then got bumped off about 30 minutes ago and couldn't get back in. Let's see if this goes through.

 

[KLS52]

Woo hoo!

 

[Brian W]

I had bad problems yesterday but none today. Everything seems to be working fine. Why do you think people do this?

 

[KLS52]

I’m still having issues.
I can’t post anything with an attachment. If I try, I get bumped off the site and then I can’t get back in for a few minutes. I keep getting error messages. Just an FYI. Could be because I use my phone...I use my phone for everything...it is my life, lol.

 

[KLS52]

I tried several times to post an attachment since early this morning. Just tried a few minutes ago but couldn’t…had the issue I mentioned above.

 

[KLS52]

Let’s see if it works here…

 

[KLS52]

Hmmm…very interesting, lol.

 

[Second Summer]

I tried several times to post an attachment since early this morning. Just tried a few minutes ago but couldn’t…had the issue I mentioned above.

It's possible it has something to do with the configuration tweaking or counter-measures I introduced yesterday. I could perhaps relax these tonight.

I had bad problems yesterday but none today. Everything seems to be working fine. Why do you think people do this?

I'm not sure, it could be a bit random (script kiddies testing out the power of their network of infected computers) or it could be someone who's out to get us either because they don't like veganism or because something specific that's posted on the forum. Or even a combination of those.